Kaouther Ben Hania’s poignant Tunisian documentary “Four Daughters” has been awarded the top prize for Best International Film at the 2023 Munich International Film Festival.
The film delves into the narrative of Olfa Hamrouni, a Tunisian mother whose two eldest daughters departed the country to join the Islamic State in Libya, never to return. To portray Hamrouni’s experience, Ben Hania employs the use of two actors to represent Olfa’s missing daughters, creating a captivating blend of documentary and drama. The documentary premiered at Cannes, where it was honored with the Golden Eye for Best Documentary, sharing the accolade with Asmae El Moudir’s “The Mother of All Lies.”

Celebrating Diverse Filmmaking and Unique Voices at Munich International Film Festival 2023 with Four Daughters
At the 2023 Munich International Film Festival, “The Buriti Flower,” a hybrid feature showcased at Cannes, received the CineVision Award for Best International Emerging Director. Directors João Salaviza and Renée Nader Messora collaborated closely with the Krahô people of Brazil to create this film, which combines ethnography and poetic narrative. It delves into the tribal memories of the Krahô community.
“Omen,” the directorial debut of Belgian-Congolese rapper Baloji, also featured at Cannes, was honored with Munich’s CineRebels Award. Additionally, Agniia Galdanova’s documentary “Queendom,” which explores the avant-garde Russian artist Marvin, received a special mention at the festival.
Henning Beckhoff’s German drama “Fossil” was awarded the Fipresci prize by international film critics. The film revolves around an aging coal miner and his environmentally conscious daughter.The audience award at the Munich festival, which was determined by approximately 58,000 festival visitors, was given to “Fallen Leaves” by Aki Kaurismäki. This film marks the return of the Finnish master after a six-year hiatus and had its premiere at Cannes, where it also received the festival’s jury prize.
Recognition and Acclaim at Munich International Film Festival 2023
Henning Beckhoff’s German drama “Fossil” was awarded the Fipresci prize by international film critics. The film revolves around an aging coal miner and his environmentally conscious daughter.
The audience award at the Munich festival, which was determined by approximately 58,000 festival visitors, was given to “Fallen Leaves” by Aki Kaurismäki. This film marks the return of the Finnish master after a six-year hiatus and had its premiere at Cannes, where it also received the festival’s jury prize.